Media Council tenders

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On the basis of the statutory authorisation governing its operation, the Media Council conducts various types of tendering activities. On the one hand, it tenders the right to use terrestrial radio media service opportunities (frequencies) for a limited period; on the other hand, it also operates a tender system to obtain financial resources that may provide support to existing media service providers, in order to promote high-quality programming and maintain operational viability.

Tender Procedures for Media Services

Terrestrial media service resources available for radio broadcasting are considered a limited resources under exclusive state ownership.

The right to use frequencies for a specified period may be obtained through a tender procedure conducted by the Media Council.

The mandatory elements of calls for tenders and tender proposals are determined by the Media Council in accordance with the guarantee provisions of Act CLXXXV of 2010 on Media Services and Mass Communication.

The right to seek legal remedy against decisions of the Media Council made in accordance with the rules of administrative procedure is guaranteed through administrative litigation.

In the case of a successful tender procedure, the Media Council enters into an official contract with the winning media service provider.

Media Council Grants Programme

The Media Council, with the assistance of the Media Services Support and Asset Management Fund, shall ensure the support of community media service providers and public service broadcasts not qualifying as cinematographic works through public tendering procedures pursuant to Article 137(1) of Act CLXXXV of 2010 on Media Services and Mass Media.

The Media Council Support Programme is a support scheme for the production of public service broadcasts not qualifying as cinematographic works and the operation of community media service providers.

The Media Council Support Programme aims to support community media service providers and diverse, high quality public service broadcasts not qualifying as cinematographic works, and to make the resulting programmes available to a wide range of audiences.

Grants for technical upgrades

The purpose of the tender procedure is to support the establishment of studio technical infrastructure (technical upgrades) that ensures the continuous, operation of Hungarian media service providers holding community media service rights – as well as the high-quality and reliable operation of media services – in compliance with statutory obligations.

Media Council decisions to support technical improvements (HUN)

Utilities grants

The aim of the tender procedure is to contribute to specific operating and running costs of Hungarian media service providers holding community media service rights, pertaining to media services, incurred under existing legal titles.

Media Council decisions on overhead subsidies (HUN)

Programme production grants

The aim of the tender procedure is to support the production and broadcasting of a regular public service television programme (a permanent programme) on the same day(s) of the week at the same time for four quarters (the eligible period). (TVÁLLANDÓ)

The aim of the tender procedure is to support the production and broadcasting of a regular public service radio programme (a permanent programme) on the same day(s) of the week at the same time for four quarters (the eligible period). (RÁDIÓÁLLANDÓ)

Media Council decisions on support for television programmes (HUN)

Media Council decisions on support for radio programmes (HUN)

Archived applications (Hungarian Media Patronage Programme)

Launched by the Media Council in 2011 and running until 2019, the Hungarian Media Patronage programme had a dual mission. The tenders published for media service providers have helped Hungarian television and radio stations to operate, produce programmes and maintain a diverse media landscape in Hungary. Thanks also to the opportunities provided to independent filmmakers to apply for funding, state subsidies were available for television feature films, experimental and short feature films, documentaries, historical documentaries, online/on-demand media content, educational films, animated films, animated series and radio plays.

The Hungarian Media Patronage Programme’s creative tender applications were discontinued in view of the changes in the legislation of the film industry. The Nemzeti Filmintézet Közhasznú Nonprofit Zrt., established on 1 January 2020, is responsible for supporting works intended for television.

Under the Hungarian Media Patronage Programme, the Media Council has contributed HUF 13 billion to the creation of nearly 1,400 contemporary Hungarian works of art. The scheme provided funding for 375 applicants to produce films and radio plays. Between 2011 and 2019, 406 media service providers received HUF 11.3 billion in subsidies from the operating and broadcasting subsidy scheme.

Detailed information about the Hungarian Media Patronage Programme’s film and radio creative applications: